Identifying the Upper Environmental Limits of Thermal Compensation in Older Human Females Using a Rapid Humidity Ramp Protocol

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (2) locations...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Climate change increases extreme heat events, elevating global heat-illness risk. Females have reduced heat loss capacity (\ 5%) compared to males, driven by differences in skin blood flow and sweating responses. While findings on sex-mediated mortality are mixed, some studies suggest older females (≥65 years), face higher heat-related mortality/morbidity risks, evidenced by disproportionate female deaths in the 2021 Western Heat Dome. The effects of extreme uncompensable heat on older females remain understudied. Heat exposure initially causes net heat gain, raising core/skin temperatures and triggering heat-loss responses. Under compensable heat stress, heat loss balances gain, stabilizing core temperature. Uncompensable heat stress (exceeding maximal dissipation capacity) causes continuous core temperature rise, posing severe health risks. The specific temperature and relative humidity (RH) limits where compensability is lost are critical survival determinants, influenced by age and sex. Ramping protocols identify these limits: participants face progressively increasing heat stress (e.g., staged humidity rises) while core temperature is monitored. Core temperature typically stabilizes initially, then exhibits an abrupt rapid increase at an inflection point, operationally defined as the limit of compensability. Despite increasing use, ramping protocol validity for accurately identifying this threshold remains unverified. This project assesses ramping protocol validity for determining uncompensable conditions in older females and evaluates cumulative thermal and cardiovascular strain, as well as psychological and cognitive responses to both uncompensable and compensable heat. Participants will complete five trials. Trial 1 (Ramping): Rest at 42°C, 28% RH for 70min, then incremental RH increases (3% every 10min) to 70% RH. Individual core temperature (rectal) inflection points are identified from the ramping trial. Trials 2-5 (Fixed Conditions, Randomized): i) \ 10% below inflection; ii) \ 5% below inflection; iii) \ 5% above inflection; iv) Thermo-neutral control (26°C, 45% RH). Comparing the rate of rectal temperature change and cumulative strain during prolonged fixed exposures (especially below vs. above inflection) will validate if the ramping inflection point represents the true limit of compensability for older females.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 65
Maximum Age: 85
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Non-smoking.

• English or French speaking.

• Ability to provide informed consent.

• With or without a) chronic hypertension (elevated resting blood pressure; as defined by Heart and Stroke Canada and Hypertension Canada), b) type 2 diabetes as defined by Diabetes Canada, with at least 5 years having elapsed since time of diagnosis

Locations
Other Locations
Canada
University of Ottawa
RECRUITING
Ottawa
University of Ottawa
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Ottawa
Contact Information
Primary
Glen P Kenny, PhD
gkenny@uottawa.ca
613-562-5800
Backup
Caroline Li-Maloney, MSc
cmalo020@uottawa.ca
6476187947
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-07-16
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-01-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 12
Treatments
Other: Humidity-ramp protocol
The humidity-ramp protocol will necessarily be performed first. The order of the fixed-condition exposures will be randomized.
Experimental: Below-inflection fixed-condition heat exposure (5%)
Participants will complete all exposures. The humidity-ramp protocol will necessarily be performed first. The order of the fixed-condition exposures will be randomized.
Active_comparator: Control fixed-condition heat exposure
Participants will complete all exposures. The humidity-ramp protocol will necessarily be performed first. The order of the fixed-condition exposures will be randomized.
Experimental: Below-inflection fixed-condition heat exposure (10%)
Participants will complete all exposures. The humidity-ramp protocol will necessarily be performed first. The order of the fixed-condition exposures will be randomized.
Experimental: Above-inflection fixed-condition heat exposure (5%)
Participants will complete all exposures. The humidity-ramp protocol will necessarily be performed first. The order of the fixed-condition exposures will be randomized.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: University of Ottawa

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov